Published: Friday, November 23, 2012 at 3:44 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, November 23, 2012 at 3:44 p.m.

THOMASVILLE | A plumber escaped serious injury after a van he was driving collided with a train on Friday afternoon.

Officers with the Thomasville Police Department were dispatched to the accident at Hillcrest Circle near Maplewood Avenue at 2:40 p.m.

Walt Smith, a plumber with R&R Plumbing, was crossing the railroad tracks on Hillcrest Circle when he saw a train. With just the front of his van over the tracks, he tried to put the vehicle into reverse to get out of the way of the train. Instead Smith, who acknowledged he was panicking, accidently put the van into park and a train traveling 23 mph struck the vehicle.

“It (stinks),” Smith said of the accident. “I’m glad I didn’t get hurt.”

Motorists are alerted of the railroad tracks with yield and railroad crossing signs. However, there are no crossing lights or bars on the section of railroad at Hillcrest Circle. Smith, who lives less than a block from where the accident occurred, wants extra precautions, such as lights or bars, to be installed at the railroad crossing.

The van received about $4,000 in damage, and Smith received a laceration to his left forearm. He was not transported to a hospital and was treated on the scene by paramedics with Davidson County Emergency Services.

The cause of the crash is under investigation by the Thomasville Police Department. Sgt. John Elgin said the train received about $500 in damage, and the two people on board were not injured.

Elgin said the train sounded its horn when it approached Hillcrest Circle. He said there is signage on Hillcrest Circle that makes it “pretty evident” that motorists know they are crossing railroad tracks.

Elgin said the signage was visibly erect for Smith. He said this was the first crash he’s investigated at the railroad crossing on Hillcrest Circle.

Brad Suits, who is Smith’s neighbor, was blowing leaves near the railroad tracks when the accident occurred. He said he was quick to see if Smith was OK and was thankful his neighbor was not seriously injured.

“The guy was as lucky as me or you hitting the lottery. … with the minor injury like that,” Elgin said of Smith escaping serious injury.

Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or darrick.ignasiak@the-dispatch.com.

<p>THOMASVILLE | A plumber escaped serious injury after a van he was driving collided with a train on Friday afternoon. </p><p>Officers with the Thomasville Police Department were dispatched to the accident at Hillcrest Circle near Maplewood Avenue at 2:40 p.m.</p><p>Walt Smith, a plumber with R&R Plumbing, was crossing the railroad tracks on Hillcrest Circle when he saw a train. With just the front of his van over the tracks, he tried to put the vehicle into reverse to get out of the way of the train. Instead Smith, who acknowledged he was panicking, accidently put the van into park and a train traveling 23 mph struck the vehicle.</p><p>“It (stinks),” Smith said of the accident. “I'm glad I didn't get hurt.”</p><p>Motorists are alerted of the railroad tracks with yield and railroad crossing signs. However, there are no crossing lights or bars on the section of railroad at Hillcrest Circle. Smith, who lives less than a block from where the accident occurred, wants extra precautions, such as lights or bars, to be installed at the railroad crossing.</p><p>The van received about $4,000 in damage, and Smith received a laceration to his left forearm. He was not transported to a hospital and was treated on the scene by paramedics with Davidson County Emergency Services.</p><p>The cause of the crash is under investigation by the Thomasville Police Department. Sgt. John Elgin said the train received about $500 in damage, and the two people on board were not injured.</p><p>Elgin said the train sounded its horn when it approached Hillcrest Circle. He said there is signage on Hillcrest Circle that makes it “pretty evident” that motorists know they are crossing railroad tracks. </p><p>Elgin said the signage was visibly erect for Smith. He said this was the first crash he's investigated at the railroad crossing on Hillcrest Circle.</p><p>Brad Suits, who is Smith's neighbor, was blowing leaves near the railroad tracks when the accident occurred. He said he was quick to see if Smith was OK and was thankful his neighbor was not seriously injured.</p><p>“The guy was as lucky as me or you hitting the lottery. … with the minor injury like that,” Elgin said of Smith escaping serious injury.</p><p>Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or darrick.ignasiak@the-dispatch.com.</p>